UPDATE AT 7 P.M. — The second game of the double header will not be played today. A team spokesman said the game will only be rescheduled if it has playoff implications and is necessary. The Dodgers at this point are nine games back in the National League West which means the game will likely be cancelled altogether. If the Dodgers do mount a comeback and the game needs to be played, it will likely take place at the end of the season.

So it's on to the nightcap of this traditional doubleheader between the Nationals and Dodgers. Have to imagine Los Angeles' players will want to get through this one quickly, because they've got to catch a flight to San Francisco so they can open a weekend series with the Giants tomorrow night.

Ross Detwiler gets the ball for the Nationals. The left-hander was roughed up by the Mets last time out to the tune of six runs in three innings, so he'll be hoping to get himself back on track.

As you know, I'm not at the ballpark today. Chase Hughes will once again have updates throughout, so please check back here for his thoughts…

Et tu Brute, (From Tuesday's game)Adam Kilgore – "Tie game. Doug Slaten started the mess. Davey let Brad Peacock, a prospect and starter, begin his career from the stretch against Matt Kemp."Ben Goessling – "A guy with 12 career relief appearances started his major league career from the stretch. That's a mess"Mark Zuckerman – "Davey said he wouldn't bring in Peacock in middle of inning. So naturally he brings him in to face Matt Kemp with 2 on and 1 out in 6th."- "This game is tied 3-3 and Strasburg can't get the win. Can't blame Peacock. He's a starter. Why was he making MLB debut in this spot?"

More from Cap Baseball on making decisions:(Tuesday's game).Bottom 9. Two outs. Bases Loaded. 7-3 Game. Your two best hitters have just struck out looking. Sounds like the perfect situation to put in a kid making his MLB-debut, right? Well, only if you are absolutely insane. Nope, that's exactly what Davey Johnson decided to do.

jeffwx– with respect, if you look at previous posts, we hashed through the Peacock start quite a bit. OK, so maybe we didn't talk too much about the last hitter, but msybe he had family in attendance and wanted to go in. Didn't make much difference at that point.

Thanks NatsLady,I was suprised that the great baseball minds of DC (not just us) question Mr. DJ.However, I do not agree to put a rookie in such a high pressure situation esp. in his first at bat. Set up your new students for success…ease them into the MLB. Don't throw them to the lions too early. Anyway, I'm officially off the DJ bus…however, doesn't make a difference at this point either.And shouldn't you be working 😉

PoignantAnonymous said… …..If Riggleman was still in that dugout right now with this record and the way this team is playing — all of you would have been ready to crucify him. September 8, 2011 4:41 PM

I used to think Mr. DJ preferss to lose today to set up a win tomorrow. Now, I think he prefers to lose this year to set up the team for next year.And is there any interest from this community to having another outing to the Stadium or is it better to wait 'till next year ?

Hey, sjm, I'm sorry. I got to chatting before the game, didn't want to move during it, and then you were gone (wisely) when I wandered by after it.It was not meant to be. Maybe the 25th — the last home game … and my only remaining date with the Nats … sniff

Anonymous, we can't crucify Dr. DJ, he has a Masters degree. ;)I'm going to crucify Mr. Rizzo right now. Keep Riggs to the end of the year. He was making 700k, stoop down and give him an extra 300k to quiet him for the rest of the season.Actually make a decision for the good of the fans, esp when the team was on one of the hottest streaks in the Nats short history.In any case, I think Rizzo's Risky decision was a bit too risky from a cost-benefit analysis.

Theoretical question after several days of watching pitchers throw in the rain: what's to keep them from using the moisture that's bound to be on the ball to throw a spitter — or spitter-like pitch? I'm not familiar enough with the mechanics of throwing one: maybe the balls would be TOO wet?

Power went out again, which the kids think is great fun. It's pretty bad out. I'm heading home. Apparently the game is postponed, so we can lose both ends of the doubleheader today, we'll have to wait until the 20th to do that.

Scooter – not a problem – we left 310 after it started raining in about the 8th. Very disappointing loss – I am going to have to call my guy with the Nationals – funny how just two sections over can make a difference but I really liked 310 better then my 308 – I wonder if Morse had played the one ball hit right at him like a professional if it would have changed the tenor of the game. That was an easily catchable ball and after we come back to score 4 runs it would have been 4-2. Not sure things like that should even be discussed but we really did not play well today.Scooter I will be at the game on the 25th & once again in 310 row E with my son. Also have yesterdays rain out and tomorrow but the way this weather is, I don't know if I will be dried out by tomorrow. Best part of todays game was the pizza at Matchbox over on 8th street along with a nice Rogue Craft Beer.

@ 8:52 p.m. The Nationals said…"If the Dodgers do mount a comeback and the game needs to be played, it will likely take place at the end of the season."What are we, chopped liver? We could come back too you know.—————————Chopped liver? No. Stewed onions? Yes.You've already been mathematically eliminated from the division race and you're three games away from being eliminated from the wild card race.At this point, the only way this game gets made up is if the D-backs, the Giants, the Braves, and the Cardinals all completely collapse and, simultaneously, the Dodgers win just about every game they have left.Accept the fact that this is going to be a 161-game season and be happy you have one fewer game to lose.